If you're out of work or just looking for something to make a bit of extra money over the holiday season than you should start a Christmas lighting business. Awhile ago I was laid off from my job and with Christmas approaching I knew I didn't have enough money to give them a great Christmas.
One of my friends who runs a landscaping business in the summer also runs a holiday lighting business in the winter. I asked him if he could help me set up my own so I could earn a little extra money. He told me he'd help and that I probably wouldn't want to find another job after I saw how much money I could make.
The most important rule with a seasonal business is to start early! By this I mean you should start handing out flyers starting on November 1st. A quick not about the flyers. They should be printed on good quality paper and always be in full color. If you're not great at designing than definitely hire a graphic designer to do it for you. The reason we go for quality is simply because it will land you more clients.
Since I didn't have that much money I spent it on getting 1000 flyers printed up. I had to hand deliver them because I simply didn't have enough money to pay the post office to do it; however, once you've got some cash flow get the post office to deliver them for you.
By now you'll start to get some calls from prospective clients. Set up a date and time to meet them. The purpose of this meeting is to figure out what they want as well as to get a deposit. One of the best things you can do with this meetup is to bring a binder filled with pictures of installations. Let them pick out bits and pieces for their installation. Lastly, make sure to get at least a 30% deposit. This deposit is the cash flow you need to get supplies, pay workers etc.
The actual installations are pretty painless. Just follow the plan that you and your client worked out. The day after you've done the installation always give them a call and ask them if everything is alright. Good customer service will ensure that they remain a client next year.
By time January comes it's time to call up all your clients and schedule a time to take the lights down. Always start calling on January 2nd because you really don't want to bother them on new years day.
If you've done good work the clients you got your first year will ask you to do it next year as well. Those return clients are what can push your business into the 6 figure zone.
Enjoy adding some holiday cheer to your clients and remember... your present is being able to take 8 months off a year.
I started my holiday lighting business a couple years ago. If you'd like to learn more about starting your own Christmas lighting business check out my link: Christmas Lighting Business.
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